Voter Assistance in Oklahoma

Oklahoma voters who have visual or physical disabilities may vote independently and privately at their polling places on election day and during early voting at the County Election Board office preceding every election.

Oklahoma's new Hart InterCivic eScan A/T voting device is equipped with an audio tactile interface (ATI) that enables a voter to listen to instructions for using the ATI controllers and an audio version of the ballot, to make selections for each race or question on the ballot, to review all selections and make changes if necessary, and finally to cast the ballot privately and independently. The voter's ballot selections are recorded electronically in the device's memory and included in the results for the precinct. No record will exist to tie an individual voter to a specific ATI ballot.

Voters who use "sip and puff" or tactile input switches may plug their own assistive devices into the ATI controller and use them to operate it.

While a voter is using the ATI device, other voters may continue voting and may insert their paper ballots into the eScan A/T at any time.

Some voters choose to vote with the assistance of another person. The Precinct Officials at your polling place are trained to offer assistance to voters who request it. Assistance is available at all elections for:

voters who have physical disabilities and are unable to mark their own ballots

voters who have visual impairment

voters who have physical disabilities or infirmities and are unable to enter the polling place

voters who cannot read

Choosing Your Assistant

If you need assistance to vote, you may choose anyone you want to help you, as long as the person is not your employer or an agent of your employer or an agent of your union. You may be assisted by a relative, a friend, or by one of the Precinct Officials at your polling place.

Polling Place Accessibility

Oklahoma election officials are working to locate all polling places in buildings that are accessible to voters with disabilities.

Some voters with physical disabilities still may be unable to enter their polling places, however. These voters may be assisted by two Precinct Officials outside the polling place. This procedure is called “curbside voting.” Call your local County Election Board for more information.

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is also a choice for voters with visual or physical disabilities. Any registered voter may request absentee ballots. You don’t have to give a reason for voting by absentee ballot.

However, voters who have physical disabilities may give that as a reason for voting by absentee ballot. By stating this reason, you may take advantage of some special conditions that may make absentee voting even easier.

Other Assistance for Voters

If you need help to fill out the Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form, you may ask a friend or relative to help. The helper must write his or her name and address in the space provided on the application form. If you want to apply for voter registration but are unable to sign the form or even to make a mark on the form, contact your local County Election Board or the State Election Board for more information.

The State Election Board has installed a telephone line dedicated for use with a TDD. The TDD number is (405) 521-3028. Voters who are deaf or hearing impaired are encouraged to call the State Election Board for information and assistance.